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There is nothing so emotive than to lose a loved one due to a criminal act such as murder. The devastation can only be imagined by those not affected. Even, perhaps more hurtful is if the murder is by a family member, husband or wife for instance or the murder of a child.

The unthinkable regrettably does happen but what can the family victims left behind do? This short blog looks at the compensation elements to help family members left behind cope with the financial pressures of losing a relative.

Criminal Injuries Compensation for Murder

The CICA is set up by the Government to help victims of crime by making a compensation award to certain family members who have been affected by the death of a loved one.

The compensation award is similar in certain respect to a normal claim for fatal accident compensation claims in the civil courts. The CICA have a tariff of compensation awards which includes claims for murder and thus a bereavement award and dependency claim can be make.

Compensation can help given the circumstances

Nobody is ever suggesting that a lump sum compensation award for a fatal injury claim on a charge for murder or manslaughter can in anyway replace the loss of a relative. But compensation for a murdered relative may help those family members left behind, particularly if there are young children or the bread winner has lost his or her life due to a crime.

The compensation may help towards child care, education and protect their future. Family members who are struggling to make ends meet will find it easier to cope with the every day life and bills that keep on coming in. The loss of a loved one due to a crime, criminal act does not stop bills.

Affected family members even if they were working at the time, may not be able to come with returning to work for a long period of time or at all. Again this can result in loss of income or if children have to be looked after, the working parent may not be able to return.

Whatever the circumstances, compensation for the murder of a relative due to a crime may be payable even if the perpetrator is known to the victim.

However the owner of the haulage company was responsible for the vehicle and the Company’s mechanic who was responsible for checking the lorry’s breaks were convicted in the Crown Court for manslaughter by gross negligence of four people who were tragically lost their life in the fatal accident claim.

It is reported that both the owner and the chief mechanic could face significant lengthy custodial sentence.

The scale and tragic consequences following the fatal road accident with the lorry is that four people had lost their lives including a little girl who was only four.

Our sincere condolences go out to all the families and friends of those that have been involved in such a needless and tragic fatal road accident.